“Do not try to drive through this water. Please stay at home,” Turner said. “Even if you’re home — you feel it will be flooded — you’re not going to help yourself by leaving your house and trying to go some place else.”

One person was found dead in a car but officials have not yet confirmed if the death was weather-related, the mayor said.

There have been 44,000 power outages in the city, Turner noted.

The severe flooding can be blamed on an overflow from local creeks and bayous, according to the Harris County Emergency Management office.

The mayor said there was one upside to the torrential rain: it struck overnight and early this morning — when most people are not at work and children are not in school.

Houston schools are closed Monday because of the severe weather.

Rainfall rates have tapered off, but more rain is expected this evening and overnight which could cause additional water rescues and significant flooding.

Severe storms with hail, gusty winds and even isolated tornadoes are expected in Texas Monday through Wednesday.